Improvement in whiffletrees



J. R. FINLEY.

WHIFFLETREE.

No. 171,113, Patented Dec. 14, 1875.

N. FEIERS. PMOTO-LITHOGRAFMER, WASHINGTON, D. C

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES R. FINLEY, OF DELPHI, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF HIS RIGHT TOJAMES M. WATTS, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN WHIFFLETREES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 171, l 13, datedDecember 14, 1875; application filed September 9, 1875. I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES R. FINLEY, of Delphi, in the county of(Jarroll and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Swingle-Tree Attachments, of which the following is aspecification The object of my invention is to produce a trace-fastenerwhich shall be capable of being easily and economically made, and whichshall prevent the unfastening of a trace; and to this end it consists inpivoting above the trace-pin a latch which shall fall by its own weight,into such position in relation to the trace-pin as to prevent the tracefrom slipping therefrom, as more particularly hereinafter de scribed andclaimed.

In order that those skilled in the art may be enabled to make and useniy-invention, I will describe the same in connection with the drawingsforming part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 shows a sideview, and Fig. 2 an end view, of one form of fastener constructedaccording to my invention; and-Figs. 3 and 4, a side and end view,respectively, of another form embodying the same principle.

Like letters indicate similar parts in all the figures.

A is the ordinary thimble or cylinder of a trace-fastener, from whichprojects the ordinary pin B, for receiving a tug or trace, F, as shownin dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2. Attached to, cast upon, or made withthe thimble A, in any suitable manner, is a projection or lug, 0, aboveand parallel with the pin B. In Figs. 1 and 2 the projection O isslotted, and in the slot is arranged the segmental gravitylatch D,pivoted at E, and arranged to fall by its own gravity, so that the lowerend 6 thereof rests upon the trace-pin B. At the other extreme of thesegment there is preferably formed the thumb or finger piece d, for themore easy manipulation of thesegmental latch In operation the latch israised, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1, and the trace slipped on. Thelatch, being then released, drops by its own weight into the positionshown in full lines, securely holding the trace on the pin.

In Figs. 3 and 4 the segmental latch D is pivoted upon the end of theprojection G at right angles to the tracepin, the pin, preferably,having a recess, b, formed therein for the segment to work in. In thisform the segmental gravity-latch is raised, as shown in dotted lines inFig. 4, and the trace slipped on, when, the latch being released, itfalls into position and holdsthe trace securely. It will be noticed thatthe principle is the same in both forms, and that the gravity-latch isso arranged as to normally prevent the trace from slipping 01f, and sothat a positive manipulation of the latch is necessary for the removalof the trace, thus rendering its operation certain and reliable.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, lS

In a trace-fastener, the combination, with the trace-pin, of aprojection or lug, C, arranged above the pin, and a gravity-latch, D,pivoted to the projection or lug, and resting normally upon or near tothe trace-pin, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand.

JAMES R. FINLEY.

Witnesses:

WILL F. DUNKLE, O. A. PowERs.

